“I used this resource at a summer camp and it was THE BEST THING EVER!!! Directions were clear to the point. The kids were able to follow, complete the activity and enjoy their solar treats with their solar ovens. Not only was this activity successful, the news in our town came out to see what our summer camp was up to and this activity made the paper.”
What is a solar oven?
A solar oven is a special oven that uses the sun’s energy to cook food. It works like a regular oven, but instead of using electricity or gas to generate heat, it uses the sun’s heat.
How does a solar oven work?
It works by using reflective surfaces, such as aluminum foil, to concentrate sunlight into a small area. This creates a scorching space inside the oven that can be used to cook food. The oven is usually made of a box with a lid, and the inside is painted black to absorb as much heat as possible.
To use the oven, you simply put your food inside and close the lid. The sun’s rays will shine on the reflective surfaces and bounce into the box, where they get trapped and turned into heat. This heat then cooks your food just like a regular oven would!
So, that’s how a solar oven works – it’s a special oven that uses the sun’s power to cook food without needing electricity or gas!
Learn more from our friend, Mad Garden Science, on YouTube.
How do you do this activity with kids?
Present students with the Challenge Info page. Discuss the challenge, materials, and plans.
Introduce the Student Sheet. Students will build their solar oven and complete this page.
🟡 So fun!
🟡 So yummy!
🟡 So educational!
Try it on your own or use The Science Penguin’s Build a Solar Oven resource with lists, advice, and student pages.
See it on TpT: Build a Solar Oven
Access the Free Resource Library
This is an exclusive library of 40+ science printables, labs, activities, and games for grades 3-6. Sign up with your personal email so your resources don’t get stuck in a district filter.
